Fastener



F. HEADON FASTENER Nov. 21, 1944.

Filed Sept. 2, 1943 lNveN-ron,

K HEADON.

Patented Nov. 21, 1944/ The present inventionr relates to a clasp or-fastener adapted for use in lholding fabric and the like and more particularly in supporting thin hose or stockingsn 'I An object of -the invention is to provide a novel and advantageous device which is very effective l for the purpose specified. f

.Another object is to provide a simple form o clasp adapted for use withv very thin fabrics without any substantial tendency to damage the same- Another object is to yprovide a device of the character specified which is very simple of construction and economical to manufacture. e

Another object is to provide an advantageous form of clasp by which undue stretching of the clasped fabric is avoided during both the clasping and unclasping operations.

A further object is to provide a simple and effective clasp in which the clasping and unclasping is rendered possible by the resiliency of the parts.

In carrying out the invention in a preferred y manner, use may be made of two substantially thin members or plates of resilient material, such as a suitable plastic material which is resilient in its finished form. These plates may be supported in any suitable manner as by tapes or the like attached thereto, and may be curved, especially the inner one, to conform -to rthe surface of the leg or other part of the bodyaengaged thereby. Also the clasp may be so thin as not to be noticeable through outer garments. Flexibility of the plates at any desired location may be increased by decreasing the amount of material at such location, as by reducing `the thickness of the plates.

The outer plate may have a longitudinal opening, orifice or slot with rounded ends and the inner plate or member may have at its outer face a projection which may. t closely in the opening of the outer plate or member and extend to the outer face thereof. The outer plate may be placed over the fabric to be clamped on the rear plate and may be secured .'by flexing it to a straighter shape so that parts thereof may be placed over edges of coacting parts on the rear plate, and then releasing it so that the coacting parts will engage each other and hold until released by` another flexing of the outer plate.

Other objects, features and advantages will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and of the drawing in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a device embodying the present invention;

' Fi'gnpz is a view of the device of Fig. 1, as seen from'below; y 1 Y Fig. 3 is a` View of the deviceof Fig. 1 as seen from the right;H n

Figi 4 is av front elevation ofthe front plate of v'the' device;

- Fig. 5 is a front elevation of therear plate; and Fig. 6 is a section taken along the line G--B-of Fig. 1. j l Referring to the drawing, the illustrated form of the clasp `or fastener comprises a rear plate I0 and a front plate II provided with an elongated opening orslot I2 vadapted to be filled by aprojecti'on y`I3 forming a part of the front'of the'rear plate' III.y Fabric 14 (Fig. 5) positioned between the plates I0 and I I and clamped therebetween, will be strongly held against movement in its own general plane.

The members or plates IIJ and II may be clamped together with fabric therebetween by having the ends I5 of the slot I2 so spaced as t0 grip the ends of the projection I3 ofthe rear plate I0 when forced thereover. However, there may also be provision for clamping the plates Ill and I I by engagement of inwardly facing shoulders I6 o-n the rear face of the front plate I I with outwardly facing shoulders II which may be the end surfaces of the rear plate I0. f The closing of the clasp or fastener on fabric of an article such as a stocking, 4may be effected by pressing the plates I0 and I I vtogether near the middle thereof. This action will ex the front or outer plate II and cause it to straighten so that the shoulders orends I5 of the slot I2 will pass over the outer ends of the projection I3 and then grip the same when the outer plate is released to assume its normal shape. Clamping of the ends II of the inner or rear plate I0 by the shoulders I6 at the rear or inner face of front plate II may be effected in the same way. Release of the clamp may readily be effected by placingthe fingers 'at the rear of the ends of the front plate II, and pressing the thumbs against the projection I3 of the rear plate I0, thus flexing the outer plate to disengage it from the vrear plate. As indicated in Figs. 2 and 6, the plates `I0 and II are normally locked together because the shoulders I5 and I extend under the ends For the same purpose the front plate II may be provided with a single slot I9 to receive a supporting tape. Obviously the arrangements for supporting the plates I0 and I I may be varied.

Obviously it would be feasible, without departing from the invention, to change the shapes of the opening I2 and of the projection I3 and to change the shoulders I6 and ends I 1 from straight edges to other suitable shapes.

Although the fastener is particularly adapted for attachments tozj a stocking, it may-*be vused to hold a tape or tapes positioned transversely or longitudinally with respect to the plates, or to. hold crossed tapes at their crossing.

It should also be understood that instead ofai single opening in one plate and a. single projection on the other plate, there might be a pluralityiof" openings with a corresponding` number; of: prol jections to enter them.

It should be understood that llexing of thefront plate I.I in, engaging or. disengaging1 the plates may be accompanied by a, corresponding. flexing of the. rear'plate; IIJ.`

The clasps of the present invention-may also be fused .for ornamental. purposes? asD in:4 clips;4 for the hair or apparel. For such purposesithewplate I.I might be increased. in... size to provide more space for. ornamentation..

It should be understood that various changes' may be. made and` thatl various.. feaizures--man be used without others, without, departing. from-,the truespirit. and scope of the invention.

Having thus describedffmy-V inventioml. claim:

1. A.y clasp` comprising aplate. having; aconvex. face..vvith.al projection of` whicnthefedge, consti.-

tutes a shoulder with oppositely facing undercut portions in a direction of curvature of said face, and a resilient plate having a face to cooperate with said convex face in clamping fabric and the like therebetween and provided with an. opening having slightly, larger dimensions than those of the projection to receive and hold said projection and fabric thereon.

2; The combination as set forth in claim 1 in Whichthe. p late. containing the opening is provided at oppositegendsvof its fabricl engaging face with projections providing opposed shoulders for locking engagement with the ends of the projection-carrying plate.

3E A clasp comprising a, plate having a longitudinally convex face with projecting means providlng" oppositely facing undercut shoulders in such.` longitudinal: direction of curvature, and a curvedresilient plate having a concave face to cooperate'with said convex face in clamping fabrio., and therliketherebetween and provided with an. opening having.' slightlyv larger'v dimensions than those. of :theprojecting meansto, receive and hold said projecting means and fabric thereon.

4 ,Thelcombination as-set forthin, claim. 3- in whichl each. of f the.,fabric-clasping-v plates is provided With means for supporting thesame.

5.. The. combination as set forth'- in claimt?A in whichitherzplate; containing the-opening is provided at; opposite ends ofy its fabric engagingl face with'. projections providing opposed shoulders for lockingB engagement with the1ends of the plate carrying. the.. projecting means.

HEADON; 

